These past couple of weeks, we’ve been talking about saving money to help you reach your financial goals. I shared 48 ideas to help you cut expenses and trim your spending.
Today, let’s dive in to brainstorming ways to boost your income.
My husband Mike and I have paid off more than $87,000 of debt in 20 months on a single, middle class income, and we couldn’t have done it without getting creative and boosting our income.
We’ve sold a lot of things on Craigslist and eBay and had some very successful garage sales. And we’ve also boosted our income in other ways.
Now I want you to brainstorm ideas for boosting your income.
Make two lists — one titled “Items I Can Sell” and one labeled “Additional Income Possibilities.”
Items to Sell
Visit every room and closet of your house and list at least ten items that you could try to sell. Check your garage and outside your house, too.
You’ll probably find some things you forgot you had when you look in your storage bins. Those might be good options to add to your list.
If you don’t use it, love it, or need it, then put it on the list!
Maybe you’re crafty and could make things to sell. Or perhaps you have long hair you could sell like Miriam. Add those items to the list, as well.
We have found success by selling items on Craigslist and eBay. There are also local Facebook groups that have been specifically created for selling items to others. And new apps are popping up everyday to make this process easier.
Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed. You’re not going to act on every idea at this moment. You’re just creating a master list of ideas that you could potentially implement in the future.
Other Ways to Boost Your Income
Next, write down some ideas for bringing in a little more income.
This could include applying for a promotion at work or looking for a different job.
It could be as simple as completing the annual health assessment online from your health insurance company.
Or perhaps you could babysit for your neighbors once a week or mow someone’s lawn.
I’ve earned hundreds of dollars in Amazon and Target gift cards over the last year with Swagbucks, mostly by clicking through articles and watching videos.
It is a legitimate online service where you earn Swagbucks (they’re like points) for completing specified tasks. Swagbucks can be redeemed for gift cards to help reduce your out-of-pocket spending.
Take Action
Once you’ve listed at least ten things to sell and ten ways to earn more money, congratulate yourself for your efforts! You now have at least forty ways to cut your spending and increase your income!
Now, pick two items from your lists to implement this week. Share them with your spouse or accountability partner and get moving on those by the end of the week.
Next week choose two items from your expenses you can cut and trim your spending lists to implement.
Continue this process of putting two ideas into action each week. Put the extra money toward your debt, and enjoy watching your net worth go up while your debt balances go down!
Each day you take action, you move yourself one step closer to true financial freedom.
What About You?
Participate in the conversation. What creative ways have you used to boost your income? What are your favorite methods for making some extra cash? Share in the comments below.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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I would love to see a list of ways that you and your husband thought to boost your income. One way that I thought of was to sell some things at our summer market in our home town. I’m just not certain what that would be yet. I’m going to brainstorm that today.
I actually wrote about how we boosted our income in parts 2 and 3 of “How We Paid Off $65,000 of Debt in 11 Months on a Single, Middle Class Income.” Here’s the link to part 2: https://www.ourdebtfreefamily.com/paid-off-65000-debt-11-months-single-middle-class-income-part-2/. At the end of the post, there’s a link to part 3. It’s good to hear that you want to know more about this topic, though, because I have more posts planned about it in the future. 🙂
We sold everything to move to Portland and had a very successful garage sale – its all about pricing and value and how you advertise. We have been long time ebay and CL users – though the later does boast a lot of flakes.
That’s great advice about garage sales. I definitely agree. Craigslist can be hit or miss, but we’ve had really good luck with it.
Great tips! I’d be interested in how you had successful garage sales. We’ve had a couple of garage sales and they’e all been busts.
I think I’ll write a post about garage sales to give you my best tips. I’ll keep you posted. 🙂
Hi, Melinda! I wrote a post about how to host a successful garage sale. It was inspired by your comment. Let me know what you think! https://www.ourdebtfreefamily.com/how-to-host-a-successful-garage-sale/
I’m on a mission to clear all my debt this year. These are great tips. Thanks so much Monica.
Yay, Nat! That’s so exciting! Please keep me posted on your progress.
I’m going to look into Swagbucks!
Awesome! Let me know what you think. 🙂
Looking for items to sell has the double bonus of making you clean/de-clutter AND a little extra money!
Yes! Getting rid of stuff that is just taking up space is such a great feeling. 🙂
Ooh, this is exciting. I am feeling all amped up now to make some lists and sell some junk (not actual junk, of course). And I had know idea about this Swagbucks business… can’t wait to click through. Cheers 🙂
You make me giggle, Danielle! Making extra cash is fun!
I just clicked on Swagbucks. I’m looking for easy things like that to do to get a little extra spending money. I’m terrible at selling things—I want things OUT and so usually just give them away on Facebook moms groups I’m a part of (and plus I like to help other mamas who don’t want to spend money, either!). I do have a box of collector’s horse figurines from my sister that I could try to sell though… Ugh it gives me a headache just thinking about the hassle!
I hear you, but it’s so nice to make a quick chunk of change. My husband is usually in charge of selling things. Collectibles usually do well on eBay if you want to give it a try. 🙂
swagbucks is a great suggestion!
http://www.kelseymalie.com
Thanks, Kelsey!